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Current
Status
11/17/08
Firewall
Forward: Installing oil door and hidden hinge and
latch.
Canopy:
More sanding and applying micro around the sliding canopy skirt.
Empennage:
Fabricating the fiberglass caps for the HS.
Home
Shop
Tools
Empennage
Wings
Fuselage
Panel
Firewall Forward
Canopy
Wiring
Engine
Miscellaneous
Considerations
SkunkWorks
Contact
CAFE Test Results
Vans Airforce
RV Yeller Pages
EAA 268
EAA 1211
Weather
Total Hours
|
Empennage |
200.2 |
| Wings |
410.7 |
| Fuselage |
349.0 |
| FWF |
134.0 |
| Wiring |
65.0 |
| Finish |
45.0 |
| Total |
1560.4 |
Percent Complete
91%
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I began building an RV-9A aircraft in December, 2005. I had been researching several
"experimental" aircraft for the last couple of years and find the Vans
Aircraft RV-9A to be my final selection.
Until
recently, I
was an airshare owner of a 1979 Piper Warrier II (PA28-161) but wanted something better
suited for long cross-country travel. This was a great plane and I
have made many wonderful trips in her, but, alas, 115 KIAS doesn't cut
it anymore. To be honest, neither was part-ownership of a plane.
Unfortunately, until I finish the
RV I will have to rent a spam can in order to keep my IFR currency.
 The RV-9A by
Van's Aircraft is a 2-seat all-aluminum airplane. It cruises around
180mph burning about 7.5 gph. This particular model of RV was designed
for the cross-country type of flyer. It has larger wings and bigger
flaps which make it easier to fly and land. It is not aerobatic. It only
needs about 1,000 ft of runway to take-off and land (500 ft. if your real
good.) It will hold two normal sized people and a hundred pounds of
baggage. It takes around 2000 hours of time to build. Building takes a
few specialized tools and a little bit of mechanical ability... almost
anyone can build it. Van's Aircraft is the most popular amateur-built
aircraft kit in the world with over 5900* currently flying. In 2003, the
total number of completed amateur-built aircraft exceeded the production
of the general aviation fleet (Cessna's, Piper's, etc.)
 This RV-9A
(N16BL) will be all-electric (no vacuum system), IFR, with a dual
Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) panel. Check
out my considerations for all the decisions that go into building your
own airplane. I am constantly amazed how the FAA has stifled
technological advances in certificated aircraft. The builders and
pilots of experimental aircraft and organizations like
EAA
are paving the way for safer and more enjoyable flying. This
site will chronicle and document my progress throughout the building
process.
The usual disclaimers apply.
* As of 11/1/2008
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